Automatic ignition cut-out fob



' Nov. 17, 1936. R. D. LAcoE AUTOMATIC IGNITION CUT-OUT FOR GAS ENGINES Filed Oct. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ze 2T 5?@- 35 5 d '0 m@ 6 T T 6a y 2 2c Z//C 9a f4? 4 /b /d /e 2] /4 v /3 v3 /5 /7a GIID IIE] IN V EN TOR.

@040/7 0. 060e BY ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1936. R, D. LACOE 2,061,078

AUTOMATIC IGNITION CUT-OUT FOR GAS ENGINES Filed Oct. 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY ,l Patented lNov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC IGNITION CUT-OUT Fon GAS ENGINES 11 Claims.

l which operates automatically by vacuum release from the intake manifold of the gas engine;

Third, to provide an apparatus of this class which is controlled by a single operating push 'button from the dash of the automobile or other vehicle;

Fourth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is applicable for operation with the conventional starter and ignition system of automobiles and other vehicles; m Fifth, to provide an apparatus of this class which is not aifected by backiire from the gas engine;

, Sixth,- to provide an apparatus of this class Whichis so constructed that it will operate effectively when. the vacuum is low, for instance when operating under full throttle, and

Seventh, to provide an'apparatus of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, easy to operate, eicient in its action, and

.30 which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order. l, 'i

With these and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter, my invention consists of cer- 4tain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my apparatus shown in normal operating position in a fragmentary portion of a dashboard of an automobile; Fig. 2 is a sectional view through 2-2 of Fig. 1 show- 5 ing some of the parts in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partial sectional and elevational view of the appa. ratus shown in normal operating position, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical view of my apparatus shown in connection with the ignition and starting mechanism of a vehicle.

Similar y characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings.

(Cl. 29o-38) The cylinder I, cylinder head 2, plunger 3, plunger rod 4, plunger spring 5, plug 6, ball valve I, tube 8, switch control .9, switch control plunger I0, switch control latch II, switch control latch I2, ignition switch member I3, starter switch member I4, magnetic relay I5, relay switch I6, ignition distributor I1, spark plug I8, 'and starter motor I9, constitute the principal parts and portions of my automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines.

The cylinder I is a hollow cylindrical member finished on its interior surface for the plunger 3 to reciprocate therein. It is provided with an extended reduced portion Ia in axial alinement therewith which is provided with a recess portion Ibadapted for supporting the spring 5 therein, shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the-drawings. Said spring is supported at one end against the shoulders Ic forming the .one end of the recess Ib. The portion Ia. is provided with a reduced recess portion Id, communicating with the recess portion 'Ib and with another enlarged recess portion Ie which extends outwardly to the end thereof and is provided with a screwthread therein adapted to receive the plug 6 forstopping the end thereof, as shown best in Figs. r1 and 2 of the drawings. This'plug 6, however, is provided with a small orifice 6a. which is adapted to permit air to enter for releasing the vacuum and permitting the spring 5 to press the plunger inwardly in the cylinder I, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Communicating with the recess Ie is an orice If which communicates with an enlarged recess Ig which is screwthreaded at its outer side adapted to receive the end of the tube which tube extends to and connects with the intake manifold of the gas engine to provide a vacuum connection with the cylinder I.- Mounted in this recess Ig is a ball valve 1 which is raised by the vacuum pressure but is adapted to prevent backiire effecting the operation of the plunger.

The plunger 3 consists of disk members 3a and 3b and leather 3c turned over at its periphery in the usual manner for engagement with the inner surface of the cylinder I, as shown best in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings. Connected with the plunger 3 is a plunger rod I- which serves as a guide for the spring 5, the one end of said spring 5 resting against a collar lain the member 4.

The spring 5 is a compression spring which tends to hold the plunge'.` 3 inwardly in the cylinder, as shown best in Fig. l of the drawings. This plunger 3 is provided with an axially extending hub portion 3d which is adapted to engage a the plunger caused by the action of spring 5.

Mounted in the open end of the cylinder I is a I cylinder head 2 which is secured therein. 'I'his cylinder head is provided in its normally operating upper side with a pin I Ia upon which are pivotally mounted the bii'urcated portions I Ib and llc oi the latch member II. 'This head is also provided with an extending lug 2a which serves as a stop i'or the downward movement oi' the latch I I, shown best in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. This head member 2 is also provided with an axially extending neck portion 2b which is provided with a 'reduced threaded portion 2c leaving shoulders 2d for one side of the dash D to rest against and the threads 2c are adapted to receive a nut 2e for clamping against the opposite side of the dash D for holding the apparatus in position on the dash of the vehicle.

'I'he neck portion 2b is provided with a central bore 2f in which is reciprocally mounted the plungermember I0 which is provided with a push button head I0a thereon with a stop shoulder IIIb to limit the inward movement of the plunger I Il. This plunger I0 is provided with a groove Inc which is adapted to receive the inner end of the spring latch I2 which is provided with a recess for holding the spring I2a, the one end of which rests against the pin I la thus tending to hold the latch I2 inwardly and when the plunger Il) is moved ou'twardly to certain position the latch I2 engages the groove I 0c and holds the plunger from longitudinal movement. Upon suiiicient pressure on the button I llathe latch I2 is moved out of the groove I0c. Secured on the end of the plunger I0 is the switch control 9 which consists of an insulated disk member 9a which is adapted to engage the extending ends of the A switches I3 and I4 with the shifting of the plunger I0. This control member 9 is provided in its end with a groove 9b, shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings, which is adapted to receive the pointed hook portion IId of the latch member II so that said hook portion Ild is retained lin the groove 9b when in the position shown in Fig. 4 oi.' the drawings. The extended end oi' the member 9 is adapted to engage the extended end of the member 3d when the plunger III is pressed inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, or when the plunger 3 is pressed inwardly, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

The cylinder I is provided with a-laterally extending support member Ih on which is supported an electrical contact Ila which is adapted tol contact with a contact Hb onthe switch member Il when the switch member I4 is shifted by engagement with the member 9a. Supported on the member Ih is a contact I3a which is adapted to be engaged by a contact I3b on the switch member I3 when released by movement oi' the member 9a. y

I'he switch member I3 is electrically connected with the ignition coil and distributer I'I through conductor IIa. 'I'he contact I3a connects with a source of electrical energy at one side of the magnetic relay I5 and switch I6 through conductor Ilia. The switch I4 is electrically connected with one side of the relay I5 by means of conductor llc. 'I'he relay I5 connects with the starting motor of the vehicle through the switch I8 and conductor' I9a. The switch I8 is vheld out of engagement with the relay I5 by means oi' a spring lia. It will be here noted that the relay, ignition coil. distributer, starter motor, are all oi' conventional type of vehicle ignition starting mechanism.

The operation is as follows: When it is desired to start the engine the plunger member III is pressed inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings which causes the member 9a to engage the end of the switch member Il causing contact between the members Ila and IIb, magnetizing the relay I 5, operating the switch I6, and operating the starting motor I9. As soon as the motor is started the vacuum from the intake manifold holds the plunger 3 inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and the switch member I4 being a spring member moves the member 9a together with the plunger I0 outwardly until the member 9 is engaged by the latch member Il, as shown best in Fig. 4 o! the drawings. and held thereby and as long as the engine continues to run, either idling or otherwise, the position of the plunger member I0 is as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. However, ii' the engine stops for any reason, the plunger member 3 is moved by the spring 5 to the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings which opens the contacts I3a and I 3b by-engagement by the switch member I3 and the ignition switch is then closed off. 'I'he engine may be stopped by taking hold of the button IIIa and drawing it outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, whereupon the latch member I2 engages the groove I 0c and holds the member 9a in position for holding the ignition switch open. It will be noted that the latch member IIl engaging the groove 9b in the switch control member 9 will prevent the plunger I0 from being pressed inwardly and operating the starter motor.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention, the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a cylinder, a plunger reciprocally mounted therein, a vacuum pressure means ly mounted therein, a vacuum pressure means connecting with.one side of a plunger in said cylinder, a spring tending to hold said plunger against said vacuum pressure, a switch control means operable by,4 said plunger, ignition and starter switch means in controlled relation with said control for opening the ignition switch upon release of the vacuum from the engine, and plunger means for manually operating said plunger in the direction of the vacuum operaion.

3. `In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a cylinder, a plunger reciprocally mounted therein, a vacuum pressure means connecting withl one side o! a plunger in said cylinder, a spring tending to hold said plunger against said vacuum pressure, a switch control means operable by said plunger, ignition and vstarter switch means in controlled relation with said control for opening the ignition switch upon release of the Vacuum from the engine, plunger means for manually operating said plunger in the direction of the vacuum operation, and latch means for supporting said switch control in varying positions.

4. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a vacuum pressure actuated plunger, means tending to actuate said plunger in opposition to the vacuumpressure, switch control means actuated by said plunger, an ignition switch of a gas engine engageable by said switch control means for opening said ignition switch, and plunger means for manually operating said switch control means.

5. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a vacuum pressure actuated plunger, means tending to actuate said plunger in opposition to the vacuum pressure, switch control means actuated by said plunger, an ignition switch of a gas engine engageable by said switch control means for opening said ignition switch, means in connection with the vacuum means for preventing back pressure in connection with said vacuum plunger and plunger means for manually operating said switch control means.

6. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a vacuum pressure actuated plunger means tending to actuate said plunger in opposition to the Vacuum pressure, switch control means actuated by said plunger, an ignition switch of a gas engine engageab-le by said switch control means for opening said ignition switch, plunger means for manually operating said switch control means, and latch means for holding said switch control means in certain relative position to the ignition.

7. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines in which there is a conventional ignition system with switches and a conventional starting mechanism with switches, the combination with the ignition switches and starting mechanism switches of a pressure actuated plunger, means for actuating said plunger in opposition to said pressure actuated means, switch control means in operative relation with said plunger arranged to open the ignition switch when in one position and close the starting switch when in opposed position.

8. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines in which there is a conventional ignition system with switches and a conventional starting mechanism with switches, the combination with the ignition switches and starting mechanism switches of a pressure actuated plunger, means for actuating said plunger in opposition to said pressure actuated means, switch control means in operative relation with said plunger arranged to open the ignition switch when in one position and close the starting switch when in opposed position, manually operated means for operating said switch control means.

9. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines in which there is a conventional ignition system with switches and a conventional starting mechanism with switches, the combination with the ignition switches and starting mechanism switches of a pressure actuated plunger, means for actuating said plunger in opposition to said pressure actuated means, switch control means in operative relation with saidplunger arranged to open the ignition switch when in one position and close the starting switch when in opposed position, manually operated means for operating said switch control means, and latch means tending to hold said manually operated means in certain position relative to said ignition and starting switches.

10. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines in which there is a conventional ignition system with switches and a conventional starting mechanism with switches, the ccmbination with the ignition switches and starting mechanism switches of a pressure actuated plunger means for actuating said plunger in opposition to said pressure actuated means, switch control means in operative relation with said plunger arranged to open the ignition switch when in one position and close the starting switch when in opposed position, manually operated means for operating said switch control means, latch means tending to hold said manually operated means in certain position relative to said ignition and starting switches, said manually operated means adapted to open the ignition switch when in one position and close the starting switch when in opposed position.

1l. In an automatic ignition cutout apparatus for gas engines, a pressure actuated plunger, means tending to actuate said plunger in opposition to the pressure, switch control means actuated by said plunger, an ignition switch of a gas engine engageable by said switch control means for opening said ignition switch, and plunger means for manually operating said switch control means.

RALPH D. LACOE. 

